Spring is almost here and TVGRR has set the date for the annual yard sale.

TVGRR will hold its annual yard sale on Saturday, April 24 from 7 am to 2 pm at the Dog Days Canine School located on the corner of Campbell Station Road and Kingston Pike in Farragut.

This is one of our primary fundraisers. With spring cleaning and other chores developing around your house, we ask that you start setting aside items for the yard sale. We appreciate and need your donations! These items could include clothing, furniture, crafts, cookware, books, and many other types of goods. We sold a staircase bannister in a previos year! As always, we need volunteers for this event. If you can help an hour or two, we can use you.

Drop off for donations will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (April 21-23) from 5pm to 7pm. 

For information about the yard sale or to volunteer, please contact Fran Ryan at fryan3698@charter.net.

TVGRR is taking part in the Belk Charity Sale Private Shopping Event again this spring since last year it was so successful. We are selling discount Belk coupons for $5 with 100% of all sales of these coupons going to TVGRR. The coupons are good for May 1, 2010 from 6am to 10am and are good for 20%-50% discount throughout any Belk's store. In addition, you get $5 towards your purchase, so you basically get your $5 back. Also you are eligible for a drawing for a $1000 Belk gift card.

Our goal is to sell 600 tickets!!! So please help us meet our goal.

To purchase your tickets just send me an E-mail to eandriola@charter.net with the number of tickets you would like and where you would like them mailed. We will put them in the mail with instructions on where to send the check. Or if you like you can also contact Eve at 865-748-6049 to order your tickets.

This big, red boy came into my life in October 2003, and things have never been the same! At the time, this two-year-old s foster name was "Erick the Red," but I changed it to "Harley" and he took to his new name right away. At the adoption fair, while I spent time checking out all the other Goldens, I kept noticing that Harley was constantly watching me every time I glanced back at him. He was also recovering from being shot and was still a bit underweight and a lot overwhelmed. But one good look into those big, sparkling eyes of his and it was love at first sight.

Ever since the day I brought him home, Harley has been pure joy. I ve had several dogs over nearly fifty years, but none have brought his special brand of happiness. Harley instantly adapted to his forever home and he has the most perfect manners that I have ever seen inside the house and out in public. Everybody loves him, and every day with him is a blessing.

About a year ago, I saw a video clip about Therapy Dogs and I realized (as silly as it sounds) that Harley just has too much love for one home. So now, Harley is a H.A.B.I.T. Therapy Dog. We give up half a dozen hours of couch time each week to visit Brakebill Nursing Home and Peninsula Hospital, and a number of other places when needed. I can t tell you how many times I ve watched despondent and troubled faces instantly cheer up when Harley offers his paw and smiles up at them. There are so many folks who have given up hope or are sick or isolated. There are some who might not interact with their doctor, the staff, or even family members. And I ve been told a number of times that Harley is often the only visitor that many of these people ever see. But after just a few minutes with him, a light in their eyes gets switched on I see it happen over and over. And that might break my heart if it weren t for the fact that I know that they do feel better after spending even a short time with these wonderful, sweet dogs!

Because of the dedication of everybody at TVGRR (and all the foster families and volunteers!), so many dogs are saved and so many people s lives are blessed, often in ways we can never measure. Harley is much more than just my best friend. He is also a kind and sincere comfort to hundreds upon hundreds of folks who truly need him too.

Thank you, TVGRR for giving me the privilege of being the one who gets to hold Harley s leash.

Sincerely,
Todd Maurer
Knoxville, TN

Can you foster a dog for us? Take pictures of adoptable Goldens? Help us at an adoption fair? We can always use your help. There are many ways to volunteer. Find out more on our help page.

The TVGRR Monthly meetings are held at Animal Emergency/Critical Care Referral Center: 10213 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN (865 693 4440).

Petsmart - Turkey Creek, 11134 Parkside Dr Knoxville, TN 37934 (865 675 1191)

AgriFeed - Middlebrook Pike, 5716 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN (865 584-3959) http://www.agrifeedpetsupply.com/